Press Kit

Media resources for covering payment processor censorship in gaming

For media inquiries: stopcollectiveshout@gmail.com

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2025

Gaming Platforms Face Payment Processor Ultimatum Following Activist Campaign

GLOBAL — Major gaming platforms including Steam and itch.io are implementing content policy changes following pressure from payment processors, sparked by a campaign from Australian activist group Collective Shout.

On July 11, 2025, Collective Shout sent an open letter to executives at PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, Paysafe, Discover, and JCB, stating: "Your corporations facilitating and profiting from rape, incest and child sexual abuse game sales."

Key developments include:

  • July 16, 2025: Steam updated publisher rules to prohibit content violating payment processor standards
  • July 20, 2025: VICE Media removed journalist Ana Valens' coverage of Collective Shout, citing "controversial subject matter"
  • July 23, 2025: Itch.io founder Leaf Corcoran confirmed changes were "direct result of an ongoing campaign by Collective Shout"

This follows a pattern of payment processor-driven content removal affecting Pornhub (2020), OnlyFans (2021), Patreon (ongoing), and Gumroad (2024).

The StopCollectiveShout.com campaign provides resources for those concerned about financial censorship, including alternative payment methods and contact templates for stakeholders.

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Fact Sheet

The Campaign

  • Collective Shout: Australian activist organization
  • Founded: 2009
  • July 11, 2025: Sent open letter to 6 payment processors
  • Target: Gaming platforms hosting adult content
  • Method: Pressure payment processors to force content removal

Affected Platforms

  • Steam: Updated rules July 16, 2025
  • Itch.io: Confirmed pressure July 23, 2025
  • Historical targets: Pornhub, OnlyFans, Patreon, Gumroad
  • Payment processors: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Paysafe, Discover, JCB

Documented Impact

  • Pornhub 2020: 10M+ videos removed (80% of content)
  • OnlyFans 2021: Near-ban affecting 2M+ creators
  • Gumroad 2024: Complete NSFW ban
  • VICE Media 2025: Censored journalist coverage

Key Quotes

  • "Your corporations facilitating and profiting from rape, incest and child sexual abuse game sales" - Collective Shout
  • "The sudden and disruptive move is the direct result of an ongoing campaign by Collective Shout" - Leaf Corcoran, itch.io
  • "Content in violation of any standards set forth by Steam's payment processors" - Steam Publisher Rules

Verified Timeline

Date Event Source
December 3, 2014 Collective Shout successfully campaigns to remove GTA V from Target Australia Collective Shout
December 2020 Visa/Mastercard force Pornhub to remove 10M+ videos Multiple sources
August 2021 OnlyFans announces (then reverses) adult content ban Multiple sources
2024 Gumroad removes all NSFW content Platform announcement
July 11, 2025 Collective Shout sends open letter to payment processors Reddit
July 16, 2025 Steam updates publisher rules Steam
July 20, 2025 VICE removes Ana Valens' Collective Shout coverage Bluesky
July 23, 2025 Itch.io confirms Collective Shout pressure Itch.io

Media Resources

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Statistics & Data

Key numbers and impact metrics

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Visual Assets

Logos, screenshots, and infographics

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Source Documents

Original letters and statements

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Complete Press Kit

All materials in one ZIP file

Subject Matter Context

Payment Processor Censorship

The use of financial infrastructure to enforce content policies beyond legal requirements. When payment processors refuse service, platforms must comply or cease operations.

Historical Pattern

Since 2020, payment processors have increasingly forced platforms to remove legal adult content. This represents a shift from government regulation to private corporate censorship.

Global Impact

Though Collective Shout is Australian, their campaigns affect global platforms. Payment processor policies apply worldwide, creating de facto international content standards.

Usage Guidelines

For Journalists

  • All information in this press kit is factual and sourced
  • Links to original sources are provided where available
  • Campaign name: StopCollectiveShout.com
  • Focus: Payment processor censorship affecting gaming platforms

Attribution

When citing this campaign: "According to StopCollectiveShout.com, a campaign opposing payment processor censorship..."

Corrections

For corrections or clarifications, contact: stopcollectiveshout@gmail.com